Filter with memory, communication and pressure sensor

ABSTRACT

The present invention describes a system and method for accurately measuring the pressure within a filter housing. A pressure sensor and a communications device are coupled so as to be able to measure and transmit the pressure within the filter housing while in use. This system can comprise a single component, integrating both the communication device and the pressure sensor. Alternatively, the system can comprise separate sensor and transmitter components, in communication with one another. In yet another embodiment, a storage element can be added to the system, thereby allowing the device to store a set of pressure values. The use of this device is beneficial to many applications. For example, the ability to read pressure values in situ allows integrity tests to be performed without additional equipment. In addition, integrity testing for individual filters within multi-filter configurations is possible.

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/402,438, filed Apr. 12, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,007,568B2, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of RFID tags has become prevalent, especially in the managementof assets, particularly those applications associated with inventorymanagement. For example, the use of RFID tags permits the monitoring ofthe production line and the movement of assets or components through thesupply chain.

To further illustrate this concept, a manufacturing entity may adhereRFID tags to components as they enter the production facility. Thesecomponents are then inserted into the production flow, formingsub-assemblies in combination with other components, and finallyresulting in a finished product. The use of RFID tags allows thepersonnel within the manufacturing entity to track the movement of thespecific component throughout the manufacturing process. It also allowsthe entity to be able to identify the specific components that compriseany particular assembly or finished product.

In addition, the use of RFID tags has also been advocated within thedrug and pharmaceutical industries. In February 2004, the United StatesFederal and Drug Administration issued a report advocating the use ofRFID tags to label and monitor drugs. This is an attempt to providepedigree and to limit the infiltration of counterfeit prescription drugsinto the market and to consumers.

Since their introduction, RFID tags have been used in many applications,such as to identify and provide information for process control infilter products. U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,381, issued to Den Dekker in 1997,discloses the use of “electronic labels” in conjunction with filteringapparatus and replaceable filter assemblies. Specifically, the patentdiscloses a filter having an electronic label that has a read/writememory and an associated filtering apparatus that has readout meansresponsive to the label. The electronic label is adapted to count andstore the actual operating hours of the replaceable filter. Thefiltering apparatus is adapted to allow use or refusal of the filter,based on this real-time number. The patent also discloses that theelectronic label can be used to store identification information aboutthe replaceable filter.

A patent application by Baker et al, published in 2005 as U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. US2005/0205658, discloses a processequipment tracking system. This system includes the use of RFID tags inconjunction with process equipment. The RFID tag is described as capableof storing “at least one trackable event”. These trackable events areenumerated as cleaning dates, and batch process dates. The publicationalso discloses an RFID reader that is connectable to a PC or aninternet, where a process equipment database exists. This databasecontains multiple trackable events and can supply information useful indetermining “a service life of the process equipment based on theaccumulated data”. The application includes the use of this type ofsystem with a variety of process equipment, such as valves, pumps,filters, and ultraviolet lamps.

Another patent application, filed by Jornitz et al and published in 2004as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0256328, discloses adevice and method for monitoring the integrity of filteringinstallations. This publication describes the use of filters containingan onboard memory chip and communications device, in conjunction with afilter housing. The filter housing acts as a monitoring and integritytester. That application also discloses a set of steps to be used toinsure the integrity of the filtering elements used in multi-roundhousings. These steps include querying the memory element to verify thetype of filter that is being used, its limit data, and its productionrelease data.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,936,160, issued to Moscaritolo in 2005, describes awireless MEMS sensing device, for use with filtering elements.Moscaritolo describes a MEMS device, having at least two differentsensors in a single assembly package. The patent discloses use of thisMEMS device in the end cap of a filter, preferably for measuringdifferential pressure of a fluid, thereby allowing it to monitor theoperating conditions within the housing. Related patents also describethe use of this MEMS device to estimate and predict a filter's life.

Despite the improvements that have occurred through the use of RFIDtags, there are additional areas that have not been satisfactorilyaddressed. For example, there are a number of applications, such asin-situ filter integrity testing and filter life monitoring viatransmembrane pressure changes, in which real time monitoring of thepressure at various points within the filter housing would be extremelybeneficial.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by the present invention,which describes a system and method for accurately measuring thepressure and/or flow at various points within a filter housing. In oneembodiment, a sensor, capable of measuring the pressure at a specificpoint is used. In a second embodiment, a differential pressure sensor,capable of measuring the difference in pressure between two points, isemployed. In a third embodiment, a gas flow meter is incorporated intothe nose of a filter for directly measuring the flow of gas through thatpoint in the filter. Similarly, a differential pressure sensor or aliquid flow sensor can be incorporated in a TFF module to measure theflow of critical fluids, like cleaning fluids, within a system. Thesesensors are in communication with a communications device so that thecombination is able to measure and transmit the pressure measurement,while the filter is in use. This system can comprise a single component,integrating both the communication device and the pressure sensor.Alternatively, the system can comprise separate sensor and transmittercomponents, in communication with one another. The transmitter componentcan utilize either wired or wireless communication. In yet anotherembodiment, a storage element can be added to the system, therebyallowing the device to store a set of pressure values.

The use of this device is beneficial to many applications. For example,the ability to monitor transmembrane pressure across each filterindividually in a multiple filter configuration improves the reliabilityand validity of an integrity test. This also allows the integrity ofeach filtering element to be individually determined in situ. Theability to monitor the transmembrane pressure within the filter housingalso enables the plugging of multi-layer filters to be monitored,allowing the life of the filter to be estimated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a representative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a representative embodiment of the present invention as usedin a multi-element filter configuration;

FIG. 3 is a first representative embodiment of the present invention asused to perform in situ integrity testing within multi-element filterconfigurations;

FIG. 4 is a second representative embodiment of the present invention asused to perform in situ integrity testing within multi-element filterconfigurations; and

FIG. 5 is a representative embodiment of the present invention as usedto perform in situ integrity testing of tangential flow filters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a representative filtering system in accordance withthe present invention. The filter element 10 is enclosed with a housing20. The filter element can be simply a porous material, such as pleatedpaper or PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride) membrane. In an alternativeembodiment, shown in FIG. 2, multiple filter elements 10 are enclosedwithin one housing 20. Alternatively, the filter element may comprise aframe, such as of plastic, and a porous material. Located in closeproximity of, preferably affixed to, and most preferably embedded in,the end cap of filter element 10 is a pressure sensor 30. This sensor 30is capable of generating an output, which varies as a function of thepressure of the surrounding environment. In another embodiment, thesensor is a differential sensor, whereby its output is a function of thedifference is pressure between two areas. This output can be in the formof an analog voltage or current, or can be a digital value or pulse. Inthe preferred embodiment, the output varies linearly with the pressure,however this is not a requirement. Any output having a knownrelationship, such as logarithmic or exponential, to the surroundingpressure, can be employed. In such a situation, a transformation of theoutput can be performed to determine the actual measured pressure.

The pressure sensor 30 is preferably a differential sensor, and ismounted on, or preferably embedded in, the end cap of the filter element10. The sensor is positioned such that it is capable of measuring boththe upstream and downstream pressure. In some applications, thetemperature of the filter element may exceed 145° C., therefore a sensorthat is stable at these temperatures should be employed. Similarly, atransmitter capable of withstanding this temperature should be employed.Finally, the temperature with the housing 20 may cycle from lowertemperatures to higher temperatures and back, therefore the pressuresensor should be able to withstand temperature cycling.

There are multiple embodiments of this pressure sensor. For example,this sensor can be constructed using micro-electro-mechanical system(MEMS) technology, a piezoelectric element, a conductive or resistivepolymer, including elastomers and inks, or a transducer. While adifferential pressure sensor is preferred, since it is the differencebetween the upstream pressure and the downstream pressure that is ofinterest, separate pressure sensors, one on either side of the filter,may also be employed. These examples are intended to be illustrative ofsome of the types of sensors that can be used; this is not intended tobe an exhaustive list of all such suitable pressure sensors.

The pressure sensor 30 is in communication with a transmitter 40, whichcan be either wired or wireless. Mechanisms for transmitting wirelesssignals outside the housing have been disclosed and are known in theart. United States Patent Application Publication 2004/0256328 describesthe use of an antenna to relay information between transponders locatedon the filter housing to a monitoring and test unit external to thehousing.

For flow measuring applications, such as those shown in FIG. 3, thepressure sensor 30 may optionally be combined with a restriction orificeto achieve the sensitivity needed for the application. This orifice orventuri restriction device is typically used to measure liquid flow, butit may also be used to measure gas flow when higher sensitivity than canbe achieved by measurement within the dimensions of the main flow path,like the core of a filter, is required. For example, the flow ratetypically experienced during diffusion is 10 cc/min. In contrast, theflow rate during convection is 500 cc/min to 1000 cc/min.

FIG. 4 shows the use of flow rate sensors 70, instead of pressuresensors. There are multiple embodiments of direct flow rate measuringsensors. In gas flow measuring applications, flow measurement istypically determined by monitoring changes in temperature. These devicescan be based upon an anemometer within which a current is passed and theanemometer wire heated. The anemometer is cooled due to the gas flow andthis is measured as a current change in the sensor. Alternately, a slipstream of gas is passed through a narrow capillary within which are twothermal coils, one pulses heat into the flowing gas the other detectsthe time for the temperature pulse to reach it. This is correlated tototal gas flow by properly designing the capillary to mail gas flow tubediameters. Other methods of measuring flow rate are known in the art,and are within the scope of the invention, as this list is not meant tobe exhaustive. The location of the flow rate sensor is important, ascertain locations within the filter housing are not subjected to thefull flow. For example, a flow rate sensor near the end cap of thefilter element would experience very little flow, especially as comparedto one near the open end of the filter element.

A transmitter 40 is also located near, or integrated with, the sensor30. In one embodiment, the transmitter 40 and the pressure sensor 30 areencapsulated in a single integrated component. Alternatively, thetransmitter 40 and the sensor 30 can be separated, and in communicationwith each other, such as via electrical signals. Various types ofcommunication are possible, such as wired and wireless. Various wirelesscommunication devices are possible, although the use of an RFID tag ispreferred. An active RFID tag allows regular communication with thereader. Alternatively, a passive RFID tag can be used, whereby theenergy to transmit and sense the temperature is obtained from theelectromagnetic field transmitted by the RFID reader.

Optionally, a storage element 50 can be used in conjunction with thetransmitter 40 and the pressure sensor 30. This storage element 50,which is preferably a random access memory (RAM) or FLASH EPROM device,can be used to store a set of pressure readings, such as may begenerated by regular sampling of the sensor.

This allows the rate at which the transmitter 40 sends data to bedifferent from the rate at which the pressure is sampled. For example,the pressure may be sampled 10 times per second, while the data istransmitted only once per second.

A wireless receiver, 60, optionally located outside the filter housing20, is used to communicate with the wireless transmitter. In thepreferred embodiment, an RFID reader or base station is used. The readercan be configured such that it queries the transmitter at regularintervals. Alternatively, the reader can be manually operated so thatreadings are made when requested by the equipment operator. In anotherembodiment, the wireless receiver 60 also includes a storage element.This reduces the complexity required of the device within the housing.In this embodiment, the wireless receiver queries the wirelesstransmitter/pressure sensor at preferably regular intervals. It receivesfrom the wireless transmitter the current pressure sensor measurement asdetermined at that time. The wireless receiver 60 then stores this valuein its storage element. The capacity of the storage element can vary,and can be determined based on a variety of factors. These include, butare not limited to, the rate at which measurements are received, therate at which the stored data is processed, and the frequency with whichthis storage element is in communication with its outside environment.

As an example, consider a filter element having a wireless transmitter40, such as an RFID tag, coupled with a pressure sensor 30. In thisembodiment, the RFID tag is passive, that is, it only sends data uponreceipt of a query from the wireless receiver, or base station. Uponreceipt of that query, the transmitter transmits the value currentlyavailable from the pressure sensor 30. In one scenario, the wirelessreceiver, which is coupled to a computing device, such as a computer,then stores these values, optionally with an associated timestamp, suchas in a log file. In a different scenario, if the wireless receiver isseparated from the computer, the receiver will need to store a number ofpressure measurements internally, until such time as it is connected tothe main computing and/or storage device. In this case, a storageelement needs to be integrated with the receiver.

In another embodiment, a wireless transmitter and receiver are not used;rather, the output of the pressure sensor is hard wired to the outsideof the housing.

Having defined the physical structure of the present invention, thereare a number of applications in which it is beneficial. The following ismeant to illustrate some of those applications, however it is notintended as a recitation of all such applications.

In one embodiment, the present invention is used in conjunction with insitu Integrity Testing. This process allows the operator to certify theintegrity of the filters within the filter housing at the customer sitewithout additional equipment. Specifically, a gas, typically air, ispressurized to a predetermined pressure upstream of a liquid wettedfilter contained within an air tight housing. The pressure within thehousing will decay over time as a result of diffusional and potentiallyconvective flow of gas through the filter. The rate of pressure decay isused to establish the integrity of the filter element. In oneembodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a differential pressure sensor ispreferably positioned in the nose of the filter. This sensor, preferablyin combination with an orifice or venture is able to measure the gasflow through the filter via the venturi effect. As mentioned above,preferably an orifice is positioned in the nose of the filter 10 suchthat the pressure drop, such as at 10 cc/min, is measurable with a highdegree of accuracy. This orifice is preferably removable and only needsto be placed in the flow path during this integrity test. In a secondembodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a gas flow measuring device, such as ananemometer or mass flow device, is employed to measure the gas flowdirectly.

For multi-round systems, multiple pressure sensors can be introduced, soas to be able to determine the diffusion rate for each individualfiltering element. Currently, systems where multiple filters are used inparallel are difficult to test. In this situation, the specificationsare multiplied by the number of filters in the housing. Therefore, theability to detect defects is significantly reduced, because the errorsare also multiplied. Additionally, if a defect is found, it is noteasily discernible which filter was defective and each would need to betested individually. The use of pressure or flow sensors in each filterimproves the sensitivity of the test and allows each filter to beindependently tested. In addition, the preferred bubblepoint integritytest, which measures gas flow over a broad range of increasingpressures, can be measured on each filter individually; a test protocolwhich is not possible currently.

In one embodiment, a plastic filter housing is utilized, allowing thewireless transmitter to transmit pressure data through the housing atany time.

The present invention also enables the monitoring of transmembranepressure. This monitoring of transmembrane pressure has several benefitsand applications. For example, the preferred start up procedure formicrofiltration (MF) filters is to ramp the operating pressure, ratherthan opening to full operating pressure immediately. This approachavoids air locks within the filter and increases the filter's usefullife. Internal pressure sensors can be utilized to monitor the pressurewithin the housing and thus, affect the proper ramp of operatingpressure. In the preferred embodiment, a differential pressure sensor islocated in the end cap of each filtering element, thereby allowing boththe upstream and downstream pressure to be observed. In one embodiment,the pressure readings are transmitted via an RFID tag through theplastic housing to an external wireless receiver.

Once the assembly has reached its operating pressure, the internalpressure sensors allow continued monitoring of the filters. For example,plugging of the filter will lead to a reduction in flow rate and thus acorresponding reduction in pressure on the downstream side of thefilter. Based on the rate at which the transmembrane pressure changes,an estimate of the useful life of the filter can be made. If thepressure is sampled on a continuous basis, any aberrant pressurefluctuations are observable and these can be accounted for in estimatingthe remaining useful life of the filter.

The above procedure is also applicable to multi-element filterarrangements. In the preferred embodiment, a pressure sensor is used tomeasure the upstream and downstream pressure of each filtering elementby affixing the sensor to the end cap of each filter. The pressuremeasurements allow the operator to understand better the operation ofeach filter within the filter housing individually. For example, if apressure drop were detected between the upstream and downstream sides ofa filtering element, it typically would indicate a plugging or foulingof that element. As explained above, the rate at which the transmembranepressure changes allows an estimation of useful filter life to be made.Similarly, if the pressure across each filter is sampled on a continuousbasis, any aberrant pressure fluctuations are observable and these canbe accounted for in estimating the remaining useful life of thatparticular filter.

Additionally, the present invention may be used to monitor specificoperating parameters, such as transmembrane pressure, in tangential flowfiltration (TFF) devices. These devices are typically used inmilti-filter, module, configurations. Traditionally, the pressure dropsbetween modules in TFF devices are not monitored. This monitoring can beperformed by introducing pressure sensors between modules, as shown inFIG. 5. By monitoring the pressure drop between modules, the flow ratecan be estimated. This flow rate can help determine that all modules areoperating as designed, especially during cleaning. The cleaningoperation can be verified when the individual membrane flux is recoveredin each module individually. Additionally, pressure sensors can beemployed within the membrane stacks in a module to monitor thetransmembrane pressure or the transchannel pressure to ensure even flowaccess to each channel and to ensure that the module flux is uniformacross the module. Additionally, by monitoring the pressure at variouspoints within the housing, it is possible to determine internal flows.Once this is known, this information can be then used to regulate theflow within the channels so as to ensure that the entire module is usedin a uniform manner. Finally, the integrity of a TFF module as measuredby a diffusion test, can be determined for each module individually bymeasuring the gas flow in the outlet port of each module. The pressuremeasurements recorded by the pressure sensors are transmitted outsidethe filter housing through the use of the transmitter.

1. A method of maintaining a uniform flow within a filter housing, saidfilter housing comprising a plurality of tangential flow filtration(TFF) devices having a plurality of modules and channels therebetween,said method comprising: affixing a plurality of sensors, each incommunication with a transmitter, to a plurality of locations with saidfilter housing; monitoring an operating parameter at each of saidplurality of locations within said filter housing using said sensors;comparing said monitored parameters to one another; and regulating theflow within individual channels in said filter housing in response tosaid comparison.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the stepof transmitting said monitored parameter to a receiver located outsideof said housing.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said sensor comprisesa pressure sensor and said parameter comprises transmembrane ortranschannel pressure.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein said pressuresensor is selected from the group consisting of a MEMS device, apiezoelectric device, a conductive polymer device, an elastomer device,and an ink device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said sensorcomprises a flow rate sensor and said parameter comprises flow a flowrate.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein said transmitter utilizeswireless communication and said wireless transmitter comprises an RFIDtag.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said operating parametercomprises pressure, and said pressure is monitored between said modulesof said tangential flow filtration (TFF) devices.
 8. The method of claim1, wherein said sensors are used to determine internal flows throughsaid channels.